McCoy attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from 2002 to 2006. "McCoy enjoyed a heralded career at Harrisburg's Bishop McDevitt High School, where he went on to become one of the most prolific rushers in Pennsylvania history."[1] His best years were his sophomore and junior year of high school. In his senior year of high school, McCoy suffered a major ankle injury, which threatened his career. This was one of the reasons McCoy decided to attend Milford Academy in New York after high school for one year.

In his first year at Pittsburgh in 2007, McCoy rushed for over 1,300 yards and recorded 14 touchdowns.[2] In 2008, McCoy was selected as a second-team All-American.[3] His 21 rushing touchdowns were third in the nation, only one behind the two leaders. McCoy made his NFL debut on September 13, 2009 against the Carolina Panthers.[4] He rushed for 637 yards that year.[5] In 2010, McCoy took over as the starting running back for the Eagles, and broke the 1,000 yard rushing barrier.[6] In 2011, McCoy was named First team All-Pro by the Associated Press.[7] In 2012, McCoy suffered a concussion that limited him to only twelve games.[8] In 2013, McCoy led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,607 rushing yards as of week seventeen, shattering the team's individual rushing yards in a season record that stood for 34 years.[9]

McCoy was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His nickname is "Shady" and was given to him by his mother. His mother gave him this nickname because of his mood swings where he would one second be happy and laughing and the next second be upset and crying.[10] He attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, the same high school attended by Ricky Watters.[11]

As a sophomore, he once rushed for 406 yards in a game.[12] As a junior he ran for 2,828 yards, scored 35 touchdowns, and earned Associated Press Class AAAA player of the year, Offensive MVP of the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Conference, 1st team Associated Press All-State.[13] As a high school senior, he earned first team Class AAAA Associated Press All-State; During his senior season, McCoy had committed to Miami.[14] However, academic issues and a broken ankle led McCoy to attend prep school at Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York for the 2006–07 school year.[15] He had been invited to play in the Big 33 Football Classic and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl that year, but ultimately did not participate in those games as he was still recovering from his injury. Following a coaching change at Miami, McCoy committed to the University of Pittsburgh on February 16, 2007.[16]

At the 2004 State College NIKE Training Camp, McCoy recorded a 4.23 forty yard dash, the fastest forty time of the event.[17]

McCoy was "rated the nation's number 11 high school prospect" by Tom Lemming.[18] A 2006 ESPN evaluation described him as "lightning in a bottle every time he touches the ball."[19]

In 2012, McCoy's high school number (20) was retired at Bishop McDevitt. The only other McDevitt player whose number has been retired is Ricky Watters.[20]

McCoy entered Pittsburgh as a transfer from Milford Academy. He started the season as a backup to Larod Stephens-Howling who was the starting running back in 2006 and rushed for over 890 yards the previous season.[21] In August 2007, Dave Grdnic wrote for Panthers Digest, "After just one week, LeSean McCoy has been as amazing as advertised. He's been dynamic on the field and off, banging up the middle on runs as hard as he bolts around end and talking just as good a game to the media.[22]

As a freshman, McCoy was the point-man for the "Wildcat offense" which the Pittsburgh Panthers unveiled in a September 2007 game against the Michigan State Spartans. In the Wildcat offense, McCoy lined up as quarterback in a shotgun formation and took direct snaps from center,[23] A Sporting News article credited him for having one of the "best starts by a freshman running back at Pittsburgh since Tony Dorsett", while the Wildcat offense was criticized. "McCoy might need to be a combination of both Dorsett and Dan Marino for the Panthers to start producing some offense other than through his running."[24] On October 2, 2007, ESPN writer Pat Forde featured McCoy under the "instant impact" section of his column. Forde had this to say, "Pittsburgh. When starting running back LaRod Stephens-Howling got hurt, McCoy stepped in and Wally Pipped him. McCoy has 503 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging six yards a carry."[25] McCoy had a streak of four consecutive games,from October 10 to November 3 where he rushed for at least 120 yards.[2] He rushed for a season high 172 yards against Michigan State on September 15, just his third game at Pittsburgh.[26] McCoy finished his freshman year 3rd in the Big East Conference and 25th in the NCAADivision I FBS (formerly I-A) in rushing yards with 1,328.[27][28] McCoy was named to the Freshman All-American team by Rivals.com[29] and was also a first team All-Big East selection by Rivals.com.[30] In his final game of his Freshman year he ran for 148 yards against rival West Virginia in the 100th Backyard Brawl to help the 28-point underdog Panthers knock off the then #2 Mountaineers.[31] That win also knocked West Virginia from a probable spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

McCoy entered his sophomore year as one of the top running backs in college football.[32] In an article written by Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in late July 2008, McCoy's coach Dave Wannstedt had this to say about McCoy's his approach in the off-season, "He's been very mature, he's taken the right approach," Wannstedt said. "I like to see a talented young guy who takes the initiative to want to be the best he can be and he clearly is doing his part."[33] In mid August 2008, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett told the Associated Press that "He (McCoy) reminded me of me. That looked a lot like No.33 (Dorsett).[34]

Pittsburgh started the 2008 season inside the top 25 for the first time in 5 years.[35] The Panthers faced Bowling Green at home to start the season, but fell to the Falcons 27-17. McCoy had one rushing touchdown and 71 rushing yards in a losing effort. This was McCoy's second lowest rushing total of the season.[36] McCoy and the Panthers proceeded to win 7 out of their next 8 games. He had a streak of 5 games from September 27 to November 1 where he recorded over 140 rushing yards per game. During that 5 game streak he had 762 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. McCoy's best game was still ahead of him.[37] After suffering a loss on the road to Cincinnati, a game in which McCoy lead Pittsburgh in both rushing and receiving yards,[38] Pittsburgh got a win at home against the Cincinnati Bearcats and McCoy rushed for 183 yards that day, setting a career high which was previously 172, set during his freshman year. He also added 2 touchdowns that day, both coming in the fourth quarter.[38] McCoy closed out the regular season with 95 rushing yards a touchdown in a winning effort 34-10 against the Connecticut Huskies.[39] The Panthers were ranked #18 in the AP Poll following the win against the Huskies.[40] McCoy's final college football game of his career was the 2008 Sun Bowl played on New Years Eve in El Paso, Texas. He rushed for 85 yards, and the Panthers fell in a defensive battle, 3-0.[41]

McCoy had said in November 2008 and in January of 2009 that he was coming back to Pittsburgh for his junior year. On January 7, 2009, McCoy notified Wannstedt of his decision to go pro. However, he delayed the decision until January 14, when he officially announced he was leaving for the NFL. Talking to Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, who also left after two years, helped sway McCoy. The teams performance in the Sun Bowl, did not have any influence though.[42] On January 14, 2009, the University of Pittsburgh announced that McCoy declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft, forgoing his final two years of eligibility.[43] The serious injury he sustained his senior year at Bishop McDevitt was a factor in his decision to enter the draft early. "As a result of a season-ending injury my senior year, I learned a humbling lesson," McCoy said. "Nothing is promised to us and it can all be taken away in a moment."[42]

McCoy was pressed into service as a starter against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 27, 2009 when the Eagles deactivated starter Brian Westbrook due to an ankle injury.[50] He scored his first touchdown in the first quarter of the game on a five-yard rush. McCoy started against the New York Giants on November 1, 2009.[51] He carried the ball eleven times for 82 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for ten yards.[52] McCoy made his third start for a NBC Sunday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys. McCoy rushed 13 times for 54 yards and caught five passes for 61 yards in a 20–16 losing effort.[53] Westbrook sustained a concussion against San Diego[54] and McCoy was called on again to be the starter in a road game against the Chicago Bears on NBC Sunday Night Football. He rushed 20 times for 99 yards and a touchdown, as the Eagles won the game 24–20.[55]

On December 20, 2009 against the San Francisco 49ers, McCoy broke the all-time Eagles rookie rushing record with 606 yards on the year. The record was previously set by Correll Buckhalter with 586 yards in 2001.[56] Also in December, the New York Daily News wrote about the top ten rookies in 2009. McCoy was listed fourth on the list and this was what writer Ralph Vacchiano had to say, "The fact that the Eagles are rolling without Brian Westbrook is, in part, a testament to how good this rookie is."[57]

During McCoy's rookie season he wore the number 29. On March 18, 2010, McCoy changed to number 25, which he had worn at the University of Pittsburgh.[58] Number 25 was previously worn by Lorenzo Booker.[59] Coach Reid had this to say in August, "...He wants it every carry. He’s been running very hard. He’s in great shape, and I think he is ready to roll.”[60] McCoy took over the starting running back duties in 2010 after previous starter Brian Westbrook was released in the off-season.[61]

McCoy carried the ball seven times for 35 yards in an early season loss against the Green Bay Packers.[62] He followed this game up with a three-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions the following week in a winning effort.[63] Head coach Andy Reid had this to say about McCoy after his game against the Lions, "He added more strength in the off-season, really bought into the off-season program, worked his tail off and it's showing up now. He's going out and he's running more physical, he's more deliberate and accurate with his cuts, seeing the daylight and getting North and South, which you have to do in this league..."[64] During a game against San Francisco 49ers on October 10, McCoy broke a rib and continued to play through it and help lead his team to a victory, rushing for 92 yards and catching 5 passes for 47 yards.[65] McCoy failed to break the 100 rushing yard barrier again until Sunday November 21 playing the New York Giants. Both the Eagles and Giants headed into this Sunday night contest at Lincoln Financial Field with a 6-3 win-loss record. McCoy ran for 111 yards and scored a touchdown, plus caught 5 passes for 29 yards in a win 27-17.[66] After only receiving 22 carries in the next 2 games combined, McCoy ran for 149 yards on 16 carries, for an average of 9.3 yards per carry (YPC) against the Dallas Cowboys.[67] The Eagles finished the season 10-6 and won the NFC East Division.[68] In the playoffs the Eagles faced the Green Bay Packers at the Linc. They lost to the Green Bay Packers 21-16 after failing to score a touchdown in the first half. McCoy had 46 rushing yards and this was his second appearance in the NFL playoffs.[69]

ESPN Stats and Information did a special feature on ESPN where they handed out "Next Level Awards" to recognize outstanding play in the 2010 season. McCoy won an award in the "Locked and Loaded" category, which recognized the "best RB facing a loaded box".[70] This is what was said about McCoy, "LeSean McCoy, literally, ran away with this award thanks to some hard-nosed running -- an aspect of his game that often is overlooked". ..."Fourteen running backs had at least 30 attempts against a loaded box this season. McCoy finished in the top four in rushing yards (207), touchdowns (three) and attempts per first down (2.8), despite having the fewest carries of those 14 backs (36)."[70]

The 2011 season started off with McCoy scoring 4 touchdowns and rushing for 345 yards in his first 3 games. In addition to that he also caught 9 passes and had 1 receiving touchdown, for a total of 4.[71] After only getting the ball 20 times on the ground in the next 2 games, and the Eagles dropping their fourth game in a row to the Buffalo Bills, starting the season off 1-4, the Eagles faced two divisional opponents. On the road at FedEx Field, against the Washington Redskins, McCoy rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown in a 20-13 win.[72] Coming off a bye week, the Eagles faced the Dallas Cowboys on October 30, McCoy scored two touchdowns and rushed for 184 yards; the Eagles won 34-7.[73] McCoy had an up and down rest finish to his season. He rushed for over 100 yards twice in the next 8 games. He failed to reach the 50 yard mark three times. McCoy saw inconsistency in the run game, some games getting the ball 15 or fewer times. McCoy missed the Eagles final game with a sprained ankle.[74] When McCoy rushed for over 100 yards, the Eagles were 5-1.[75] His 17 rushing touchdowns tied him for third all-time in rushing touchdowns in a single season by a running back aged 23 or younger. The only two running backs ahead of him are Hall of FamersEric Dickerson, and Emmitt Smith.[76] McCoy finished the 2011 season as the league's fourth leading rusher,[77] after sitting out the last game with an ankle injury.[78] During the December 18, 2011 game against the New York Jets, McCoy broke the Eagles' single season touchdown and rushing touchdown records previously set by Steve Van Buren in 1945. As of December 2013, McCoy holds the records with 17 rushing and 20 total touchdowns. He was also voted into the Pro Bowl for his season's performance. McCoy won the FedEx Ground Player of the Year Award,[79] and was also voted Associated Press All-Pro First Team running back.[80] McCoy is one of only three running backs 23 years or younger to be named to the Associated Press All-Pro team since 1995. The other two are Edgerrin James(1999) and Adrian Peterson(2008).[81] McCoy finished the 2011 season with 1,309 rushing yards, including six games of over 100 rushing yards. In 15 games played, he recorded a rushing touchdown in 12 of them, and scored a touchdown in 13 out 15. He finished first in the National Football League in rushing touchdowns, with 17,[82] and lead the entire league in total touchdowns with 20.[83]

On May 17, 2012, it was announced that McCoy had signed a five-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles. The contract is worth $45 million with $20.765 million guaranteed.[84]

On September 9, 2012, the Philadelphia Eagles traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to face the Cleveland Browns. McCoy rushed for 110 yards on 20 carries for an average of 5.5 yards per carry in the opener. He outrushed the whole Browns team 110-99 and the Eagles won 17-16.[85] Coming back home to Philadelphia, McCoy scored his first touchdown of the young season, a one-yard run in the first quarter. The Eagles went on to win 24-23.[86] In Week 4 against NFC East foe New York Giants, McCoy broke the 100 rushing yard barrier for the second time in four games with 123 yards on the ground.[87] In the next five games, McCoy rushed for 321 yards for an average of 64.2 rushing yards per game. All five of those games were losses for the Eagles. On November 18, 2012, playing against the Washington Redskins, McCoy ran for 82 yards and had 20 receiving yards, but suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter of the game. He was injured with less than two minutes remaining in the game.[8] McCoy did not return until December 23 against the Redskins. In his last two games he had 23 carries for 90 yards. He was used more in the passing offense though, catching 14 passes for a total of 138 receiving yards.[88] He ended up missing four games on the year, playing in a total of 12.

McCoy took the field for Monday Night Football on September 9, 2013 and rushed for 184 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown.[89] At the time this was McCoy's second highest single game rushing total of his career.[90] The Philadelphia Eagles took the win over divisional foe Washington Redskins. His performance was good enough to earn him FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors.[91] McCoy was only handed the ball 11 times in Week two, resulting in 53 yards. But he contributed as a wide receiver and caught five passes for 114 yards.[89] 114 yards currently stands as McCoy's top receiving yards in a game.[92] The Eagles then faced former head coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, on Thursday Night Football. McCoy rushed for 158 yards on 20 attempts, for 7.9 yards per carry.[93] Though the Eagles lost this game and fell to 1-2, McCoy surpassed 150 yards from scrimmage in each of his first three games of the season. Over the course of the next six games McCoy saw somewhat limited action with varied results. He received more than 20 carries once in a game and broke 100 yards rushing only once. The Eagles dropped back to back games to divisional foes but beat Oakland on November 3, to bring their record to 4-5.[94] McCoy rushed for 155 yards against the Green Bay Packers. This was his third game surpassing 150 yards rushing.[95]

On December 8, 2013, Philadelphia had their first major snowfall of the year, with over 8.5 inches of snow falling.[96] With snow covering the entire field, and with it falling the entire first half, offense was hard to come by. The halftime score was 8-0 in favor of the Detroit Lions. Several minutes into the second half the Lions scored their second touchdown of the game, and subsequently took the lead 14-0. The second half was a breakout half for McCoy, who finished the game with 217 rushing yards on 29 carries. McCoy's 217 rushing broke a franchise record of 207 rushing yards that was previously held by Steve Van Buren.[97] He also scored two touchdowns to help propel the Eagles to victory over the Lions 34-20.[98] McCoy also earned for the second time in 2013, FedEx ground player of the week, in Week 14.[99]

In Week 15, the Eagles traveled to Minnesota. McCoy only carried the ball 8 times, as the Eagles elected to pass for much of the game. He did though have 68 receiving yards, which put him over the 100 yards from scrimmage mark. The Eagles fell to the Minnesota Vikings 48-30.[100] As of Week 16, McCoy leads the NFL in rushing with 1,476 yards and is tied for first in rushing first downs.[101] In Week 16 facing the Chicago Bears, McCoy rushed for 133 yards and scored two touchdowns.[102] This moved him up to second on the Philadelphia Eagles single season rushing yards list. In Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, he broke Wilbert Montgomery's Eagles regular season rushing record (1,512 in 1979) and Brian Westbrook's record of most yards from scrimmage (2104 in 2007). McCoy rushed for 131 yards on 27 carries, finishing out the last drive of the game with 23 yards on 6 rushes. The Eagles won 24-22 and earned a playoff spot - the third seed in the NFC at 10-6.[103][104]

McCoy was able to rush for an outstanding 1,607 yards and was also the all-purpose yards leader at 2,146.[105][106]

On November 28, 2012, McCoy was featured in an episode of E:60 titled "The Real McCoy". The interview was done by ESPN reporter Lisa Salters.[110] It details the story of McCoy's high school career and his ankle injury.

In May 2013, McCoy was sued for his alleged actions towards a woman using the alias “Mary Roe”[111] aboard a party bus on the NJ Turnpike. Roe testified that McCoy humiliated her and 15 other women by spraying them with a beverage before ejecting Roe from the vehicle. McCoy’s attorney Andrew Smith Esq. responded, “There are no criminal charges pending and no probable cause was ever found," stating that the accuser was simply attempting to collect money from McCoy. Roe sued over $50,000 in damages for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment and negligence.[112] It was later revealed through text messages to a friend that "Roe" had never been touched by McCoy.[113]

In September 2014, McCoy received criticism for leaving a $0.20 tip at the PYT burger restaurant in Philadelphia. However, McCoy claimed the low tip was due to "bad service."[114] The owner responded on September 9, 2014, saying that McCoy had been "verbally abusive" and made "derogatory comments about women."[115]